Research Overview
The Global Supply Chain Laboratory (GSCL) is a Texas A&M Industrial Distribution Program laboratory utilized to educate our students, create cutting edge solutions for wholesale and industrial distribution channels, and provide answers to Distribution and Supply Chain Management (SCM) challenges. The lab conducts research projects to solve distribution industry problems. Projects areas include inventory classification (ABC stratification), forecasting, purchasing planning, distribution network optimization (asset management), logistics planning, distribution channel analysis, application of performance metrics, Enterprise Resource Management (ERP) process and functionality improvements, etc. The lab also assists distributors and manufacturers with technology implementation, process automation and training to better manage their assets and increase profitability. The Global Supply Chain Laboratory also offers education and training to industrial distributors and manufacturers. The educational programs are research based, innovative, proven, and cutting edge methods developed within Texas A&M's Industrial Distribution Program.
The Thomas and Joan Read Center for Distribution Research and Education applies both advanced research skills and a thorough understanding of distribution to every project. Our experts, who merge long standing industry experience with the latest developments in academia, conduct both primary and secondary research for manufacturers, distributors, professional associations and publications.
Our expertise lies in the following major areas with in the field of Industrial Distribution.
- Distributor Quality
- Sales / Marketing
- Executive Leadership
- Strategy / Relationships
- Profitability / Purchasing
- Supply Chain Management
- Transportation / Logistics
- ERP / CRM / IT / E-business
Our Faculty
Robert M. Borsh, Jr.
- Associate Professor of Practice, Engineering Technology & Industrial Distribution,
- Industrial Distribution
- Office: FERM 304C
- Phone: 979-862-7225
- Email: bob.borsh@tamu.edu
Ismail Capar
- Associate Professor, Engineering Technology & Industrial Distribution,
- Industrial Distribution
- Office: FERM 203G
- Phone: 979-862-8312
- Email: capar@tamu.edu
Norm Clark
- Instructional Professor, Engineering Technology & Industrial Distribution,
- Industrial Distribution
- Office: FERM 302D
- Phone: 979-847-9076
- Email: nclark@tamu.edu
Tom Comstock
- Senior Lecturer, Engineering Technology & Industrial Distribution,
- Industrial Distribution
- Email: twcomstock@tamu.edu
Read Frymire
- Senior Lecturer, Engineering Technology & Industrial Distribution,
- Industrial Distribution
- Phone: 214-533-3580
- Email: read.frymire@tamu.edu
Eleftherios Iakovou
- Professor, Engineering Technology & Industrial Distribution,
- Industrial Distribution
- Harvey Hubbell Professor of Industrial Distribution
- Associate Director of Supply Chain Resilience & Sustainability, Texas A&M Energy Institute
- Co-Director, Global Value Chains Program, Mosbacher Institute for Trade, Economics, and Public Policy, The Bush School of Government and Public Service
- Associate Director, Supply Chain Management & Applied Operations Research, Texas A&M Center for Applied Technology
- Professor of Supply Chain Management, Mosbacher Institute for Trade, Economics, and Public Policy, The Bush School of Government and Public Service
- Affiliated Faculty, Multidisciplinary Engineering
- Office: FERM 205F
- Phone: 979-458-1097
- Email: eiakovou@tamu.edu
Jay Johnson
- Senior Lecturer, Engineering Technology & Industrial Distribution,
- Industrial Distribution
- Office: FERM 203F
- Phone: 979-458-2581
- Email: johnson@tamu.edu
Mark Johnson
- Professor of Practice, Engineering Technology & Industrial Distribution,
- Industrial Distribution
- Office: FERM 204C
- Phone: 979-862-7092
- Email: johnson78@tamu.edu
Bharani Nagarathnam
- Master of Industrial Distribution Program, Associate Director
- Instructional Associate Professor, Engineering Technology & Industrial Distribution,
- Office: FERM 302E
- Phone: 979-847-8941
- Email: bharani@tamu.edu
Malini Natarajarathinam
- Industrial Distribution, Program Coordinator
- Professor, Engineering Technology & Industrial Distribution
- Director, Thomas & Joan Read Center for Distribution Research & Education
- Leonard and Valerie Bruce Leadership Chair
- Affiliated Faculty, Multidisciplinary Engineering
- Office: FERM 203D
- Phone: 979-845-6766
- Email: malini@tamu.edu
Bimal Nepal
- Interim Department Head, Engineering Technology & Industrial Distribution
- Don A. Rice Professor, Engineering Technology & Industrial Distribution
- Affiliated Faculty, Industrial & Systems Engineering,
- Office: FERM 107
- Phone: 979-845-2230
- Email: nepal@tamu.edu
Xiaofeng Nie
- Associate Professor, Engineering Technology & Industrial Distribution,
- Industrial Distribution
- Office: FERM 204E
- Phone: 979-458-8132
- Email: xiaofengnie@tamu.edu
Daniel Rey
- Associate Professor of Practice, Engineering Technology & Industrial Distribution,
- Industrial Distribution
- Phone: 979-845-3148
- Email: daniel.rey@tamu.edu
Chukwuzubelu Ufodike
- Assistant Professor, Engineering Technology & Industrial Distribution, and Multidisciplinary Engineering,
- Industrial Distribution,
- Charlotte & Walter Buchanan Faculty Fellow,
- Affiliated Faculty, Mechanical Engineering
- Office: FERM 203H
- Phone: 979-845-0093
- Email: ufodike@tamu.edu
Evan Vestal
- Senior Lecturer, Engineering Technology & Industrial Distribution,
- Industry Projects Coordinator, Industrial Distribution
- Office: FERM 205E
- Phone: 979-862-1786
- Email: evanv@tamu.edu
